We are excited to announce that state officer applications are now open! Are you still deciding on whether or not to run at this year’s State Conference? Here are 6 reasons from your state officer team to run for state office.

PURPOSE | NOAH KELLEY | TENNESSEE TSA PRESIDENT​“Beginning my sixth year in this wonderful organization has encouraged me to look back and observe all of the progress and growth that has taken place in my life; the Technology Student Association has molded me into the young man that I have become today. TSA will always have a piece of my heart—my past, my present, and my future. I have always had a second family within this organization, and I cannot wait to see what comes next in my TSA journey. TSA is just another puzzle piece that completes my life, and running for state office was ultimately the best decision I have ever made. You will not regret running for state office.”

COMMUNITY | ALEXIS MINIAT | VICE PRESIDENT“As a state officer, there are lots of events and conferences that you get to attend, but what really becomes the most exciting part is the people whom you get to know. By running for state office, you are expanding the connections and people in your life, thus creating a community that will have your back for the rest of your life. It is the experiences like late work-nights and group dinners that make the hard days worth it. Running for state office highlights the beauty of TSA and the people who inspire our growth in leadership and in life. Being a state officer has been one of the most magnificent adventures of my life.”\

FRIENDSHIP | KEITH STUBBLEBINE | SECRETARY“Serving as a state officer has impacted me in a variety of ways, but none more than the opportunity I have had to meet people in TSA and other CTSOs (DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA). I have made some of the most impactful friendships which will hopefully serve me in the future as I continue to aspire to reach my dreams. For this and a large variety of other reasons, I truly believe that running for state office was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made.”

DIRECTION | LAUREN KELLY | TREASURER“Serving as a state officer has, above all else, given me a sense of direction. It’s easy to picture yourself at a certain college or following a certain career path, but much harder to turn that dream into a reality. As a state officer, your plans become actions, and you build leadership skills and form lifelong bonds which prepare you for college, your career, and whatever else may follow. Your experience as a state officer doesn’t just end after one year; it lasts a lifetime.”

GROWTH | ISABEL CHRIS | REPORTER“Serving as a Tennessee TSA state officer has without a doubt been an honor. From meeting members of our association to advocating for career and technical education, the opportunities given to you while serving as a state officer are truly endless. The ability to dedicate yourself to the organization that has served each and every one of us is one of the most gratifying experiences you could ask for. In the end, TSA is surely more than just a student association: it's a place to grow into the leaders we were all born to become!"

CONNECTIONS | VICTORIA HART | SERGEANT-AT-ARMS“Serving as a TSA officer has, first and foremost, opened a world of opportunity to me. As a state officer, I have been able to engage with students, educators, and leaders across the state. The impact that these connections have had on me is undoubtedly one of the greatest of my high school and ongoing career. However, being a state officer is not solely advocating for TSA, planning conferences, and facilitating workshops. It’s pioneering change in our organization, creating life-long friendships, and taking on perhaps the most exciting challenge of your high school career.”

We hope that these statements give you more insight into running for state office. If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to me or any of the other officers.

This article was written by the 2018-2019 Tennessee TSA President, Noah Kelley. You can contact Noah at president@tntsa.org. Follow Tennessee TSA on Twitter @TennesseeTSA.